Vietnam calls for removal of unilateral coercive measures

27/11/2020 02:00 109 0

Addressing the UN Security Council’s Arria-Formula Meeting on “End Unilateral Coercive Measures Now” on November 25, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN, has called for the removal of unilateral coercive measures negatively affecting countries’ socio-economic development and people’s life, and the restraint of unilateral coercive actions in international relations.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN. Source: VNA

According to VNA, Quy called on the international community to join hands in responding to challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

He criticised actions which run counter to the UN Charter and the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States, particularly unilateral coercive measures.

These actions have eroded mutual trust, intensified tensions, and posed latent risks of conflicts, he noted, stressing the need to promote multilateralism and dialogue, abide by the UN Charter and international law, solve conflicts peacefully, and respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

The UNSC should prevent and solve disputes, protect civilians, and ensure its sanctions do not cause humanitarian burden on people, he added.

Alena Douhan, UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, emphasised the necessity to consider the legality of unilateral coercive measures which are not allowed or exceed the UNSC’s allowance, and assess their impact on the enjoyment of human rights.

The trading of basic necessities such as medicine, medical equipment and food should not be subject to any coercive measures or unilateral coercive measures, either directly or indirectly, she said.

Activities which hamper COVID-19 prevention efforts should be removed or at least suspended, she added.

Unilateral Coercive Measures (UCMs) usually refer to one State's economic measures to compel changes in the policy of another State.

Examples of such measures include trade sanctions in the form of embargoes and the interruption of financial and investment flows between senders and target countries. UCMs are contrary to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and severely hamper the economic development and health capacity of affected countries. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, their negative influences have drawn more attention and concerns from Member States ever.

Pham Tu